‘Lord of the Flies’ by William Golding Lesson Objectives: to explore the setting and background of the novel to have a basic understanding of characters in the novel

Who was William Golding? Born 19th September 1911, died 19th June 1993 ‘Lord of the Flies’ is his most famous novel He studied Natural Sciences and English Literature at Oxford University He was in the Royal Navy in WW2 and took part in the sinking of the German battleship the Bismarck After the war he was a teacher before his writing career took off.

‘Lord of the Flies’ ‘Lord of the Flies’ has been published in many different editions. Look at the cover you have been given and think about: What aspect of the story do you think is emphasises? Does it give you any clues about where and when (in history) it is set? Does it tell you anything about the characters?

‘Lord of the Flies’ is … An allegorical novel … A novel which explores human nature … About the struggle for power in a chaotic situation … About a group of boys who survive a plane crash and end up on a desert island and have to fend for themselves … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mdZeJsuHns

‘The Coral Island’ by RM Ballantyne This novel was written in 1857 was the inspiration for ‘Lord of the Flies’ In ‘The Coral Island’, three boys are shipwrecked on a Polynesian island. The boys manage to create a shelter and catch their food. However, they come under attack from savage pirates and witness terrible scenes such as cannibalism. They build a boat and eventually sail home older and wiser.

Key characters in the novel: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english_literature/proselordflies/proselordfliescharact.shtml Key characters in the novel: Jack Ralph Piggy Simon Roger

“there was a mildness about his mouth and eyes that proclaimed no devil” Chapter 1, page 5 decent handsome kind proper sporting Ralph honest middle-class

“Piggy was an outsider, not only by accent, which did not matter, but by fat, and ass-mar, and specs, and a certain disinclination for manual labour” Chapter 4, page 68 problem solver socially unacceptable working-class intelligent fearful Piggy anxious common sense

Jack “The voice of one who knew his own mind” Chapter 1, page 17 dominant aggressive dictatorial arrogant Jack middle-class Head boy chorister single-minded

“the choir boy who had fainted sat up against a palm trunk, smiled pallidly at Ralph and said that his name was Simon.” Chapter 1 page 29 courageous unconventional thoughtful Simon perceptive solitary kind

“There was a slight, furtive boy whom no one knew, who kept to himself with an inner intensity of avoidance and secrecy. He muttered that his name was Roger and was silent again.” Chapter 1 page 29 powerful chorister strong violent Roger sadistic hunter

Homework: Revise the spelling and meanings of the key vocabulary for this novel. Due: next lesson.